Latest news with #PhillipSternes
USA Today
12-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Largest shark that ever lived: Scientists unlock mystery about the megalodon
The monster shark, depicted in the 2018 sci-fi horror film 'The Meg,' dominated the ocean 3.5 million years ago. USA TODAY The biggest, most formidable shark to have ever roamed the ocean may have been even larger than previously thought, according to a new study. The research, published Sunday in the journal 'Palaeontologia Electronica,' suggests that the megalodon, which dominated the ocean 3.5 million years ago, was more than three times the size of a great white shark. The monster shark, depicted in the 2018 sci-fi horror film " The Meg," was previously believed to be between 50 and 65 feet long. But the new study, conducted by researchers in 28 countries, found the megalodon could have reached a whopping 80 feet in length, roughly the size of two school buses. The study helps confirm the hypothesis that the megalodon was not 'merely a gigantic version of the modern-day great white shark,' as previously thought, said Phillip Sternes, an educator at SeaWorld San Diego and a researcher on the project. Instead, the shark could have closer cousins today. It also sheds light on the mystery of how the fearsome carnivore may have gone extinct millions of years ago – and the role the smaller great white shark played. How big was Megalodon? Scientists have long struggled to determine the size of the megalodon because no complete fossil of the extinct animal has been found. Past studies have estimated the megalodon's length and body shape by comparing it to the great white shark, which has similar large, serrated teeth. But Sternes said those studies relied on assumptions about similarities between only the two shark species. The new study compared megalodon fossils with more than 150 living and extinct shark species. It found the megalodon may have had a longer, more slender body resembling that of the modern lemon shark, rather than the great white. It could have ranged between around 54 feet long and 80 feet long, the study suggests. And that longer length isn't just a fun fact about the fearsome creatures. It could also paint a clearer picture about the way megalodons moved through the water. Kenshu Shimada, a paleobiology professor at DePaul University in Chicago who led the study, said findings about the megalodon's maybe-slender body align with what scientists already know about other gigantic aquatic animals: Thinner bodies allow long animals to swim more efficiently. If the megalodon was a similar shape and size to the modern great white shark, that stocky body would 'not allow it to be an efficient swimmer,' to catch prey and survive, Shimada explained. So what killed the megalodon? Little is known about how and why megalodon went extinct around 3 million years ago. But the study says the great white shark could have had something to do with it. The fossil record and 'inferred growth patterns,' suggests that the rise of the great white shark, and the competition it brought, actually helped lead to the demise of the megalodon, the study states. Researchers are still investigating the megalodon's evolution, but Sternes told USA TODAY one possibility is that the predator's large body might not have been as adaptable as smaller shark species, even if it could swim freely. 'We've learned about how the planet fluctuates with different environmental factors, how life responds to it,' he said. 'Understanding the past can better inform us about both the present and the future for life on Earth.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The megalodon may have looked very different than we thought
Few prehistoric monsters capture the imagination quite like the megalodon. From natural history museums to the silver screen, this colossal shark, which went extinct over three million years ago, has been depicted as one of the most terrifying and ferocious creatures to ever roam the planet. However, new research from the University of California, Riverside, published Monday in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica, could forever change our perception of 'The Meg.' Until now, the megalodon has been envisioned as a much larger version of the great white shark with a similarly chunky body type. Typical methods of estimating its shape and size have relied on teeth and limited vertebral specimens since no complete adult skeletons have been found. 'By examining megalodon's vertebral column and comparing it to over 100 species of living and extinct sharks, (researchers) determined a more accurate proportion for the head, body, and tail,' UCR stated. Research now suggests that the megalodon more closely resembled a lemon shark with a much longer body—perhaps similar to a large whale—measuring about 80 feet in length and weighing 94 tons. Its slender body was designed for energy-efficient cruising rather than short, high-speed attacks. 'You lead with your head when you swim because it's more efficient than leading with your stomach,' said Tim Higham, a UCR biologist who contributed insights to the study. 'Similarly, evolution often moves toward efficiency.' For comparison, great white sharks can grow up to 20 feet long, however its body is better suited for bursts of speed. Researchers also believe that a newborn megalodon could have been nearly 13 feet long, roughly the size of an adult great white shark. 'It is entirely possible that megalodon pups were already taking down marine mammals shortly after being born,' said Phillip Sternes, a shark biologist at UCR. UCR noted that the study offers insight into why only certain animals, beyond the megalodon, can evolve to massive sizes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
10-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Largest shark that ever lived: Scientists unlock mystery about the megalodon
Largest shark that ever lived: Scientists unlock mystery about the megalodon The monster shark, depicted in the 2018 sci-fi horror film 'The Meg,' dominated the ocean 3.5 million years ago. Show Caption Hide Caption Kayaker paddles for his life as great white shark appears to stalk him A kayaker escaped unscathed after he spotted a great white shark while fishing for yellow kingfish. The shark followed him for eight minutes. The biggest, most formidable shark to have ever roamed the ocean may have been even larger than previously thought, according to a new study. The research, published Sunday in the journal 'Palaeontologia Electronica,' suggests that the megalodon, which dominated the ocean 3.5 million years ago, was more than three times the size of a great white shark. The monster shark, depicted in the 2018 sci-fi horror film "The Meg," was previously believed to be between 50 and 65 feet long. But the new study, conducted by researchers in 28 countries, found the megalodon could have reached a whopping 80 feet in length, roughly the size of two school buses. The study helps confirm the hypothesis that the megalodon was not 'merely a gigantic version of the modern-day great white shark,' as previously thought, said Phillip Sternes, an educator at SeaWorld San Diego and a researcher on the project. Instead, the shark could have closer cousins today. It also sheds light on the mystery around how the fearsome carnivore may have gone extinct millions of years ago – and the role the smaller great white shark played. How big was Megalodon? Scientists have long struggled to determine the size of the megalodon because no complete fossil of the extinct animal has been found. Past studies have estimated the megalodon's length and body shape by comparing it to the great white shark, which has similar large, serrated teeth. But Sternes said those studies relied on assumptions about similarities between only the two shark species. The new study compared megalodon fossils with more than 150 living and extinct shark species. It found the megalodon may have had a longer, more slender body resembling that of the modern lemon shark, rather than the great white. It could have ranged between around 54 feet long and 80 feet long, the study suggests. And that longer length isn't just a fun fact about the fearsome creatures. It could also paint a clearer picture about the way megalodons moved through the water. Kenshu Shimada, a paleobiology professor at DePaul University in Chicago who led the study, said findings about the megalodon's maybe-slender body align with what scientists already know about other gigantic aquatic animals: Thinner bodies allow long animals to swim more efficiently. If the megalodon was a similar shape and size to the modern great white shark, that stocky body would 'not allow it to be an efficient swimmer,' to catch prey and survive, Shimada explained. So what killed the megalodon? Little is known about how and why megalodon went extinct around 3 million years ago. But the study says the great white shark could have had something to do with it. The fossil record and 'inferred growth patterns,' suggests that the rise of the great white shark, and the competition it brought, actually helped lead to the demise of the megalodon, the study states. Researchers are still investigating the megalodon's evolution, but Sternes told USA TODAY one possibility is that the predator's large body might not have been as adaptable as smaller shark species, even if it could swim freely. 'We've learned about how the planet fluctuates with different environmental factors, how life responds to it,' he said. 'Understanding the past can better inform us about both the present and the future for life on Earth.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Megalodon: Scientists Reveal a Crucial Surprise About The Mega-Shark
It remains a sad fact of this world that we will never know for certain what the long-lost megalodon truly looked like – but a new study gives us what may be the most accurate reconstruction yet. An international team led by paleontologist Kenshu Shimada of DePaul University in the US has determined that the megalodon (Odontus megalodon) was probably longer and sleeker than previous interpretations of its scant, mysterious remains. "This study provides the most robust analysis yet of megalodon's body size and shape," says marine biologist Phillip Sternes, formerly of the University of California Riverside, now at SeaWorld. "Rather than resembling an oversized great white shark, it was actually more like an enormous lemon shark, with a more slender, elongated body. That shape makes a lot more sense for moving efficiently through water." The megalodon is one of the most captivating mysteries on the fossil record. It lived from around 23 million to around 3.6 million years ago, during which time it occupied a prime position at the top of the food web, before being driven to extinction. We know it was huge, compared to modern sharks, but learning more about what it looked like is extremely difficult. That's because, like those of today's sharks, megalodon's skeleton was mostly cartilage. Only its teeth and vertebrae have been preserved as fossils on the seafloor, indicating a monster of a shark that could have been anywhere between around 11 meters to over 40 meters (36 to 131 feet) in length. Most estimates settle between around 13 to 18 meters, with the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) as the basis for their model, using one of the most complete megalodon fossils we have: an almost complete spine found near Belgium measuring 11 meters in length. The white shark is a true powerhouse, one of the fiercest predators in the ocean, so it's easy to see why scientists might turn to it to understand the megalodon. Not all sharks are built alike, though. Rather than examining the megalodon spine in the context of just a handful of species, Shimada and his colleagues compared it against a huge catalog of 145 living and 20 extinct shark species. In particular, they were looking to calculate the length of the body parts not represented by the fossilized vertebral column; that is, the head and the tail of the shark. Their new approach found that if the megalodon's body plan was consistent with most of the other sharks evolution has so elegantly crafted, the extinct predator's head and tail could have represented 16.6 and 32.6 percent of the total body length, respectively, with a sleeker, slimmer body more like that of the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) than the white shark. This means that, for the Belgian individual, the head would have measured 1.8 meters in length and the tail 3.6 meters, making that specific megalodon a total of 16.4 meters wide. Although the Belgian spinal column gives scientists a bunch of related bones to work with, they are not the only megalodon vertebrae paleontologists have found; nor are they the largest. The largest vertebra in the assemblage is 15.5 centimeters (6.5 inches) long. Other vertebrae found near Denmark are reported to be significantly larger, up to 23 centimeters across. Assuming that this represents the largest possible size a megalodon vertebra can reach, the researchers calculated a new top size for the shark. "The length of 24.3 meters is currently the largest possible reasonable estimate for O. megalodon that can be justified based on science and the present fossil record," Shimada says. That length is comparable to two school buses, end-to-end, much larger than most sharks that swim the oceans today, although filter-feeding whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) can reach lengths of 20 meters or so, and actual whales can be significantly larger. The interesting thing about all these large marine animals is that their bodies, also, are long and sleek. The shorter, stockier shape of the white shark is built for short bursts of speed; the longer, sleeker bodies of lemon sharks, whale sharks, and whales are better for more energy-efficient swimming, and minimal drag. A longer, sleeker, more hydrodynamic body would have allowed megalodon to grow much larger than the white shark, whose maximum body size is less than 6 meters, limited by the energy demands of its swimming and hunting style. At 23.4 meters in length, a megalodon would have cruised the oceans at speeds around 2.1 to 3.5 kilometers (1.3 to 2.2 miles) per hour, using sparing speed bursts only when necessary. "This research not only refines our understanding of what megalodon looked like, but it also provides a framework for studying how size influences movement in marine animals," Sternes says. "Gigantism isn't just about getting bigger – it's about evolving the right body to survive at that scale. And megalodon may have been one of the most extreme examples of that." The research has been published in Palaeontologia Electronica. Dead Bacteria Dissolve Their Own Corpses as a Parting Gift For Relatives Stick From a Dead Shrub Reveals Surprising Truth About Its Record Lifespan Scientists Discover Thousands of New Microbes Lurking in The Ocean's Deepest Zone
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Megalodon may have been ‘even longer' than we thought
If you picture a megalodon, chances are you envision what amounts to a gigantic great white shark. The image is understandable, given almost every depiction of the ancient apex predators across research and pop culture. But last year, an international team put forth a new anatomical design based on their analysis of incomplete fossilized vertebrae. According to the researchers, the famous megalodon was likely 'more slender and possibly even longer' than the prevailing theory. Rather than a great white, the team offered sleeker mako sharks for a frame of reference. The hypothesis kicked off a heated debate among paleobiologists, many of whom contended the evidence still simply didn't support giant prehistoric makos. Unfortunately, a follow-up study likely won't satisfy anyone who disagrees with the mako idea, either. According to many of the original study's authors, megalodons may have been even longer and leaner than they first proposed. In terms of today's shark parallels, think less 'mako' and more 'lemon.' The revised shape and size is detailed in a paper published on March 9 in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica. After comparing portions of a megalodon's vertebral column to over 100 species of living and extinct shark species, researchers now estimate the megalodon may have topped out at around 80-feet-long, or about two school buses, while weighing as much as 94 tons—roughly as massive as a blue whale. For reference, the predominant megalodon theory puts them at 50-65 feet long and 53-115 tons. Based on their conclusions, even newborn megalodons were sizable creatures, and likely measured as large as a modern adult great white. 'It is entirely possible that megalodon pups were already taking down marine mammals shortly after being born,' Phillip Sternes, a co-author on both papers, argued in an accompanying statement. Sternes also contends the latest study 'provides the most robust analysis yet of megalodon's body size and shape.' 'Rather than resembling an oversized great white shark, it was actually more like an enormous lemon shark, with a more slender, elongated body,' he said. 'That shape makes a lot more sense for moving efficiently through water.' While the great white shark's bulkier, torpedo-like frame makes it perfect for quick bursts of speed, the lemon shark evolved for energy-efficient, sustained ocean cruising. This concept of evolutionary efficiency played into the team's alternative theory, as well. Tim Higham, a study co-author and biologist at University of California Riverside, offered Olympic swimmers as a comparison. 'You lead with your head when you swim because it's more efficient than leading with your stomach,' he explained in a statement. 'Similarly, evolution moves toward efficiency, much of the time.' If there's anywhere Team Lemon (formerly Team Mako) and Team Great White may find common ground, it's megalodon speed. Rather than a high-speed chaser or a slower, methodic hunter, the study's authors suggest a balance in which the sharks generally swam at a moderate pace while able to attack in quick bursts. 'Gigantism isn't just about getting bigger—it's about evolving the right body to survive at that scale,' Sternes said. 'And megalodon may have been one of the most extreme examples of that.'
